13 comments:

I read the same article earlier today, after visiting online with some of my friends about how we manage food allergies. While I'm thankful for folks who are willing to do these studies, I can't imagine enrolling our daughter, either.

This sounds a lot like the ongoing studies at Duke University. I wonder if they are taking similar or different approaches.

I would hesitate to call this a "cure," though. Sounds more like a "treatment" to me.

Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE for my son to have this option. But they were careful to point out they weren't sure how long the tolerance levels would remain. And being able to tolerate 10 nuts--while of course awesome and helpful in the cases of taking a wrong bite out of a cookie--is not the same as "cured" to me.

What really has me scratching my head is no mention of the Duke study--I have seen this article picked up in US news orgs, and the Duke study is just as successful (last time I checked) and they are also working on an oral immunotherapy for people with egg allergies.

I'm not trying to be a party pooper, but I just have to wonder about all of this headline-making, the word "cure" and no mention of a very similar study here in the US. Makes me wonder if someone has jumped the gun a bit? Not only that, one BBC article I saw had a quote from a doc or researcher who said that it WASN'T a cure--so I think some of these headlines might be a bit misleading.

Like I said, I'm not trying to be a downer, just thinking out loud. Truly, the minute immunotherapy is safely available for my son, we are SO there! :o)

I remember reading a while back about a similar study, and I think some kids died. Can't remember, though, the specifics--it was years ago.

My sister and I both have children with peanut allergies and we were just discussing how it seems more labels are saying "may contain peanuts" or "made in the same factory as peanut products". Products we thought were totally peanut free now display a warning. It is getting riduculous.

My sister called one of the companies (the company that makes those Valentine hearts)to inquire anbout this, and the company said that they are having to put the label on even though those hearts are made in a completely separate room from the peanut products. Crazy!!! And so scary!

I get allergy shots which are helping bit time. However, I am still allergic to dogs, pollen, fish, etc. While it has helped me very much it hasn't eliminated my allergies (wish it would, then my asthma would be better).

There is so much of talk of this out there today. I certainly would not let my child participate in this type of study. Thankful to those that do. I am hearing so many mixed reviews on all of these claims. It sure would be nice if this really became a realitly for us.

WOW. This is amazing. Interesting, because that is exactly how they treat allergy sufferers from other allergens, the serum that is injected actually HAS the allergen in it and slowly desensitizes them over time. But again, not a cure, but a treatment to improve your life. The scary thing would be is if it causes the one with the allergy and the parents to become lax and less aware of what is being ingested. Interesting though, just to see the possibilities.